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NORMAL – John Joseph Zoeller, 88, of Normal, formerly of McLean, died at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at Heritage Health in Normal, after 1 year of combating cancer.
John was born Sept. 24, 1928, in Bloomington, son of Harry T. and Lena M. Swearingen Zoeller. He graduated from McLean High School. He married Harriet D. Koenig on Aug. 1, 1953, in Chicago. They had been married 63 years.
John farmed, both grain and livestock, for 46 years at Funks Grove. He loved his land and the Funks Grove area with all the bountiful nature surrounding him. He retired in 1993.
John was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church in Bloomington, where he served as an usher and did many volunteer jobs. He helped his community by being a volunteer fireman for the Funks Grove–Mount Hope Township Fire Department for more than 40 years, and he served as deputy coroner and volunteer for McLean County. He also was past president of the McLean Civic Club several times.
John had a special love for his children and his grandchildren. He instilled into his children the work ethic of how to live an honest life and to get along quietly, as he did. He will be fondly remembered for his generosity to his family and friends and always being there to help someone in need. Harriet survives, along with their two children, a son, Keith (Cindy) Zoeller of Sterling, and a daughter, Anita Zoeller of Danville; two grandchildren, Tammy Zoeller and Tyler (Chelsea) Zoeller; and one great-grandson, Carson.
Preceding John in death were his parents and his twin brother, William H. Zoeller.
Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home in Bloomington. Visitation also will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. John Lutheran Church in Bloomington, with the Rev. Brian Goke officiating and the Rev. Christine McNeal assisting. A committal service will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Funks Grove Cemetery in McLean.
Memorials may be directed to St. John Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Sugar Grove Nature Center in McLean, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Visit carmodyflynn.com to send condolences.